Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • May 6, 2009
(continued from Restaurant page) (Robert Redford), and “The Wild Bunch,” the film that opened the floodgates of on-screen violence. Directed by Sam Peckinpah, “The Wild Bunch” focuses on a band of bank robbers led by Pike Bishop (William Holden). The opening scene sets the tone as Pike and his gang (among them Ernest Borgnine, Jaime Sanchez, and Warren Oates), dressed in stolen army uniforms, enter a town and are ambushed by former gang member Deke Thornton (Robert Ryan) and a slew of deputies. The ensuing battle turns the town into a blood-soaked shooting gallery. The gang is eventually pursued by both private mercenaries and the army, leading to more bloodshed, narrow escapes, and a climactic fight to the death in Mexico. The other sets in this TCM series are “WW II: Battlefront Europe,” ”War Collection: Battlefront Asia,” “John Wayne Westerns,” and “Broadway Musicals.” “Last Chance Harvey” (Anchor Bay) is an interesting slant on romantic movies. Harvey (Dustin Hoffman) and Kate (Emma Thompson) are likable, middle-aged professionals who have resigned themselves to being single. They keep themselves busy so they won’t notice how lonely they are. Harvey writes piano compositions in his spare time. Kate takes writing classes and is forever taking phone calls from her mother (Eileen Atkins). The film has its requisite “meet cute” scene -- three in fact -- as Harvey and Kate coincidentally meet time after time in London, where Harvey is attending his daughter’s wedding. Despite its formulaic structure, “Last Chance Harvey” works because of its stars, who have terrific chemistry. Blu-ray extras include a making-of featurette and audio commentary with Hoffman, Thompson and writer/director Joel Hopkins. “Incendiary” (Image Entertainment) stars Michelle Williams as an unnamed London mother who meets and begins an affair with journalist Jasper Black (Ewan McGregor). While her husband and young son are attending an Arsenal football game, they are killed by a terrorist bombing. Director Sharon Maguire juggles a number of plots -- the affair, the deaths of husband and child, the mother’s frantic search for their bodies, her deep-seated guilt over the affair, and an unlikely relationship that develops after the bombing. The film begins well, but when the plot tendrils begin to extend every which way, it degenerates into a bloated melodrama.
DVD Releases
The Widescreen, R-rated film contains no extras. “1612” (E1 Entertainment) is a sprawling epic in the mold of “Braveheart” and “Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan.” Russia is facing its bloodiest conflict. As a volunteer army faces off against Polish-Lithuanian invaders, the Russian government lies in shambles. The assassination of Tsar Boris Gudunov, his young wife, and his son and heir has thrown Russia into a relentless power struggle. The only witness to the murder of the Tsar’s family is a young servant boy, Andrey. Infatuated with the Tsar’s beautiful daughter, Ksenia, Andrey hopes she might still be alive amid the chaos that has become the norm in Moscow. As lawlessness rages while power passes from one usurper to the next, Andrey sets off to find the missing princess. The personal story of Andrey’s quest against the background of violent anarchy makes for an exciting action drama that depicts the physical and emotional toll of war on the common person. The Widescreen edition contains more than 40 minutes of extras. Two new DVDs focus on big screen fashions. “Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills” (Indiepix) is a documentary about the man who, for over 60 years, dressed such stars as Cary Grant, Dean Martin, Sid Caesar, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley. Through interviews, vintage photos, video footage, and hours spent with Taylor, the film documents the life of a man who still -- in his nineties -- works daily with the same precision, wit and flair. A consummate craftsman, he measures, custom fits, and perfects trendsetting suits made of the best materials. Interviewed are Jack, his wife Bonnie, Monty Hall, Hal Linden, Mike Douglas, Jan Murray, and Jason Schwartzman. Certain movie costumes are iconic: Marilyn Monroe’s white dress from “The Seven-Year Itch,” Bette Davis’ black cocktail dress from “All about Eve,” and Vivien Leigh’s green drapery gown from “Gone with the Wind.” “Fashion in Film” (Anchor Bay) looks at the role of fashion in filmmaking and how the actors’ costumes contribute to character, time period, and atmosphere. For the most part, films reflect trends in fashion, but every now and then a film makes such an impact that it inspires a fashion fad of its own, as did “Annie Hall” and “Clueless.” Other movies cited for their influence on fashion include “Bonnie and Clyde,” “27 Dresses,” “Pretty Woman,” and “The Devil Wears Prada.” There are interviews with model Tyson Beckford, actresses Jennifer Beals (“Flashdance”) and Amanda Bynes (“What a Girl Wants”), and costume designers.
ARIES - - Mar 21/Apr 20 ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Don’t let an altercation with an acDon’t let an altercation with an acquaintance ruin your good mood early quaintance ruin your good mood early this week, Aries. This person isisjust this week, Aries. This person just having a a bad day and is taking his or having bad day and is taking his or her frustrations out on you. her frustrations out on you. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 You must be determined ifif you are to You must be determined you are to get anything done this week, Taurus. get anything done this week, Taurus. Those around you will commend your Those around you will commend your diligence, should you succeed. Push diligence, should you succeed. Push through minor setbacks. through minor setbacks. GEMINI - - May 22/Jun 21 GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Be patient this week while you wait for Be patient this week while you wait for a a close friend to answer an important close friend to answer an important question. Don’t force the issue or you question. Don’t force the issue or you may end up with an answer you don’t may end up with an answer you don’t want. want. CANCER - - Jun 22/Jul 22 CANCER Jun 22/Jul 22 Someone gets you tangled up in a a Someone gets you tangled up in mess, Cancer. Use your smarts to pull mess, Cancer. Use your smarts to pull yourself out of this trouble ...... and fast. yourself out of this trouble and fast. You’ll learn from your mistake with You’ll learn from your mistake with this situation. this situation. LEO - - Jul 23/Aug 23 LEO Jul 23/Aug 23 Don’t back down from a achallenge Don’t back down from challenge come the end of the week. Take charge come the end of the week. Take charge of the situation, Leo, as you know best of the situation, Leo, as you know best how to do. Expect interference from how to do. Expect interference from close friends. close friends. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 AA lot of people are depending on you, lot of people are depending on you, Virgo, as usual, but this time you just Virgo, as usual, but this time you just can’t possibly deliver. It’s OK to put can’t possibly deliver. It’s OK to put yourself first for once. The others will yourself first for once. The others will have to understand. have to understand. LIBRA - - Sept 23/Oct 23 LIBRA Sept 23/Oct 23 While you don’t relish the idea of takWhile you don’t relish the idea of taking sides, an argument between assoing sides, an argument between associates isisputting you in an awkward ciates putting you in an awkward position. Listen to both parties before position. Listen to both parties before rendering any judgment. rendering any judgment. SCORPIO - - Oct 24/Nov 22 SCORPIO Oct 24/Nov 22 You receive a alucrative business ofYou receive lucrative business offer this week, Scorpio, but you’re not fer this week, Scorpio, but you’re not sure ifif it’s a step in the right direction. sure it’s a step in the right direction. Think over all of your priorities. You Think over all of your priorities. You just might decide to pass. just might decide to pass. SAGITTARIUS - - Nov 23/Dec 21 SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21 Just because you’ve been hurt in the Just because you’ve been hurt in the past doesn’t mean you should avoid past doesn’t mean you should avoid new relationships, Sagittarius. Now’s new relationships, Sagittarius. Now’s the time to put out the the time to put out the feelers for a a new mate. feelers for new mate. CAPRICORN - - Dec 22/Jan 20 CAPRICORN Dec 22/Jan 20 Stand your ground when your boss Stand your ground when your boss approaches you about a a business deciapproaches you about business decision you made. You know that itit was sion you made. You know that was the right choice. He or she will come the right choice. He or she will come around sooner rather than later. around sooner rather than later. AQUARIUS - - Jan 21/Feb 18 AQUARIUS Jan 21/Feb 18 Don’t be too hasty when itit comes to a Don’t be too hasty when comes to a career-change possibility. ItIt may actucareer-change possibility. may actually be too good to be true. Do your ally be too good to be true. Do your research before you sign on the dotted research before you sign on the dotted line, Aquarius. line, Aquarius. PISCES - - Feb 19/Mar 20 PISCES Feb 19/Mar 20 AA friendneeds your help with a aperfriend needs your help with personal matter. Offer your assistance, but sonal matter. Offer your assistance, but don’t do all of the work. Your efforts don’t do all of the work. Your efforts will be appreciated. will be appreciated.
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